Published: January 06, 2010 12:59 pm      

Georgia's Talking Book Centers seeking public opinion

ATLANTA — Georgia Libraries for Accessible Statewide Services (GLASS) has announced proposed changes in statewide service that should result in more efficient, effective service to citizens with visual or physical disabilities that prevent the use of public libraries.

The GLASS network of 11 libraries serves every corner of the state, offering a variety of programs and support services, including the distribution of Braille and audio materials from the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped that are circulated to eligible borrowers in the United States by postage-free mail. GLASS libraries and an additional outreach center are strategically located throughout the state, and the network maintains affiliations with each of the state's 384 public libraries.

A series of public meetings will give consumers and providers in each service area an opportunity to learn about and respond to the draft plan. GLASS and Georgia Public Library Service (GPLS) encourage everyone who uses or is interested in the service to attend and share opinions and information that will help the planning team develop a final map for delivering the best service possible with the available resources.

Who Should Attend?

� Current and potential consumers of Talking Book Center services

� Service providers such as educators, health care providers, vocational rehabilitation counselors, etc.

� Talking book library staff members

� Library directors and staff



Meeting schedule by city:

Athens

Saturday, Feb. 6, 1:00 p.m.

Athens-Clark County Library

2025 Baxter Street

Athens, GA 31701

706-613-3655

www.clarke.public.lib.ga.us/talkingbooks



Atlanta

Friday, Feb. 26, 2:00 p.m.

Atlanta-Fulton Central Library

1 Margaret Mitchell Square

Atlanta, GA 30303

404-756-4619

http://www.afpls.org



Augusta

Thursday, Feb. 11, 4:00 p.m.

Augusta-Richmond County Public Library

902 Greene Street

Augusta, GA 30901

706-821-2625

http://www.ecgrl.public.lib.ga.us



Bainbridge

Monday, Jan. 11, 2:00 p.m.

Decatur County-Gilbert H. Gragg Library

301 S. Monroe Street

Bainbridge GA 39819

229-248-2680

http://www.swgrl.org/local/lbph/LBPH1.HTM



Brunswick

Wednesday, Feb. 10, 10:00 a.m.

Brunswick-Glynn County Library

208 Gloucester Street

Brunswick, GA 31520-7007

912-580-4315

http://www.trrl.org/tbc.htm



Columbus

Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2:00 p.m.

Columbus Public Library

3000 Macon Road

Columbus, GA 31906

706-243-2686

http://www.thecolumbuslibrary.org/ outreachservices/class.html



Dublin

Thursday, Feb. 11, 10:00 a.m.

Laurens County Library

801 Bellevue Avenue

Dublin, GA 31021

478-275-5382

http://www.ocrl.org/dublintbc.php



LaFayette

Thursday, Jan. 28, 5:00 p.m.

LaFayette-Walker County Public Library

305 S. Duke Street

LaFayette, GA 30728

706-638-1958

http://www.chrl.org



Macon

Tuesday, Jan. 26, 11:00 a.m.

Middle Georgia Regional Library

Shurling Branch

1765 Shurling Drive

Macon, GA 31211

478-744-0875

http://www.co.bibb.ga.us/library/TBC.htm



Rome

Thursday, Jan. 28, 1:00 p.m.

Rome/Floyd County Library

205 Riverside Parkway, NE

Rome, GA 30161

706-236-4618

http://www.rome-lpd.org



Savannah

Wednesday, Feb. 10, 3:00 p.m.

Live Oak Public Libraries

Southwest Chatham Branch

14097 Abercorn Street

Savannah, GA 31419

912-925-7774

http://www.liveoakpl.org/about/library-for-the-blind-physical.php



Valdosta

Tuesday, Jan. 12, 10:00 a.m.

Valdosta-Lowndes County Library

300 Woodrow Wilson Drive

Valdosta, GA 21602

229-333-7658

http://www.sgrl.org/pages/talkingbook.html



GLASS is an initiative of GPLS, which is a unit of the University System of Georgia. An affiliate network of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, GLASS is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to GPLS under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.

For additional information about upcoming meetings or about GLASS services, including Talking Book Libraries and counties served, visit www.georgialibraries.org/glass or contact GLASS toll-free at 800-248-6701.